Jockey&#39;s grip or handhold.



No. 747,145. PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

G. W. GOVINGTON.

JOOKEYS GRIP OR HANDHOLD.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 13, 1901.

\ N0 MODEL.

llNTTnn STnTns Patented December 15, 1903.

GEORGE W. OOVINGTON, OF EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

Jocnewe GRIP on HANDHOLD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,145, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed December 13,1901. Serial No. 85,798. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE WASHINGTON OOVINGTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elneryville, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Jockeys Grips orHandholds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a simple and convenient implement adapted to be used in connection with bridle-reins or driving-reins in order to insure a good handgrip in pulling. It is particularly adapted for the use of jockeys in racing, where a reliable grip of this character eases the hands and takes off a great part of the strain now required in restraining ahorse. Jockeys at present knot the bridle-reins together and make a kind of a pullingrip; but since the reins are not widely enough separated the hand is cramped between them and the fingers have not full powerin the pull. My implement gives such a firm and reliable grip.

My invention also comprises a device for permitting the hands to rest upon the horses neck without gripping the reins with the fingers and without any liability of the reins slipping through the hand.

The invention is fully hereinafter described, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a plan view of the grip or handhold detached from the reins. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but with the reins connected or cinched in the grip. Fig. 3 is an edge View partly broken away and showing the auxiliary loop.

The grip or handhold A is a bar composed of a single piece of some suitable material. I prefer to use aluminium on account of its lightness; but other metals or materials can be used instead. In shape it preferably somewhat tapers or is rounded inwardly from both ends toward the middle, as illustrated fully in Fig. 1, and it will be noted that alledges' are rounded, as shown at ct b, so as to leave no corners, angles, or ridges to injure the hand or make an uncomfortable grip. Near each end of the bar is an opening '0, which I prefer to make ofthe approximately semicircular shape shown. On one edge is formed a concave projection (Z, with rounded corners,

which actsas a double stop to keep the two reins'from working toward each other.

The reins B B are cinched through and around the grip, as shown in Fig. 2. The end of one rein is passed back through each end of the slots in the bar, then brought under to the front, and then over and back and through the loop. This forms a cinch which tightens with the pull and which cannot slip. The inner edges of the reins can work in as far as the stop will permit, but no farther, and hence the reins remain separated, so that the hand, with either an overhold or underhold, has a comfortable grip and can exert its utmost power without being cramped by the reins. able parts are employed, and the bar being made in one piece of sufficient strength is practically indestructible.

In connection with this device, but with more special reference to bridle-reins, I attach to the side of the bar a loopO, usually of leather, and I prefer to rivet the loop firmly in place and for the purpose provide the rivetholes 6. Riding at ease or when the horse is not under a strong pull the jockey often finds relief in resting his hands on the horses neck or withers. This restis not complete if he is obliged to maintain agrip on the reins. When this loop is attached to the hand-grip, the thumbs can be passed upwardly through it, the reins being released. Then. both hands can rest upon the horse, the thumbs pulling a little sidewise against each other and giving great relief to the hands. In this position, although the rider loosens his grip on the reins, he does not lose control of the horse, and the change to the gripping position can be made instantly.

A special advantage of my grip is that as the riders fingers are not cramped he is not obliged to change holds on the reins, as is now the case, and the horse is not fretted or made nervous or angry, as he frequently is when the hold is repeatedly changed.

Although specially adapted for bridle-reins, the efficacy of my device as a pulling-grip for driving-reins is obvious.

By reason of the tapered form of the bar it will be noticed that the upper and lower edges diverge near the ends of the bar. These di- No buckles or movable or adjust- Too vergent edges aiford bearings for the reins to allow the same to firmly grip the bar and allow the loops of the cinch to assume the most effective position for a tight hold. The bar is in the form of a flat plate.

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A grip-bar having openings extending therethrough near the ends, the ends of the -bar being wider than the central portion thereof to'provide divergent inclined edges, substantially as described.

2. A grip-bar having openings extending transversely through the bar near the ends, and stop means located between the adjacent edges of the Wrapped portion of the reins, said bar with its attached stop means being adapted to be held in the hand, substantially as described.

3. A grip-bar comprising a flat plate with openings at or near its ends extending through 'day of December, 1901.

GEORGE W. OOVINGTON.

Witnesses:

O. T. BooTs, L. W. SEELY. 

